Infant Head Cradle

ABSTRACT

A head-restraint system includes a rotatable base portion; a stationary platform positioned underneath the base portion, wherein the platform supports the base portion; a rotatable head cradle positioned within an open region of the base portion; a first pivoting mechanism that allows the head cradle to rotate with respect to the base portion; and a second pivoting mechanism that allows the base portion to rotate with respect to the platform.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The embodiments herein generally relate to head supporting mechanisms, and, more particularly, to an infant head cradle.

2. Description of the Related Art

Infants are recommended to be placed on their backs (i.e., face up) when they are sleeping in cribs, cradles, bassinets, and other places. One cause of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is suffocation caused by infants who are either positioned on their stomachs when sleeping or infants who somehow turn their body/head over while sleeping and are unable to lift their heads in order to breathe.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides an assembly comprising a platform; a base positioned on the platform, wherein the base comprises a groove comprising a generally curved track; a rotatable arcuately-shaped head cradle positioned within an open region of the base, wherein the head cradle comprises a protruding belt portion dimensioned and configured to slide within the groove of the base; and at least one ball bearing positioned between the belt portion of the head cradle and the base, wherein the at least one ball bearing slides in the curved track of the base.

The platform may comprise an upper surface comprising a pair of guides and a receptacle; a front wall; a back wall positioned opposite to the front wall; and a pair of side walls positioned between the front wall and the back wall. The front wall may be dimensioned and configured to be approximately one-half in length compared to the back wall. The base may further comprise a top region comprising a recessed saddle-shaped central surface; and a pair of raised side surfaces positioned on lateral sides of the central surface, wherein each side surface comprises a hole disposed therein. The base may further comprise a front region comprising at least one slot configured in a front wall of the base, wherein the front wall of the base is positioned transverse to the central surface and the pair of raised side surfaces, wherein the groove and the track extend from a first side surface through the central surface and to the second side surface of the top region.

Additionally, the base may further comprise a bottom region comprising a pair of generally cylindrical legs having concave ends that are dimensioned and configured to accept a ball bearing, wherein the legs rest in the pair of guides of the platform; and a boss feature dimensioned and configured to rotationally connect to the receptacle of the platform. The boss feature may comprise a neck portion; and an enlarged lip that snaps into the receptacle of the platform. The head cradle may comprises an anterior surface comprising an inner area of the belt portion that is generally centrally positioned on the U-shaped anterior surface, wherein the inner area of the belt portion comprises at least one semi-spherical bump outwardly extending from the belt portion; and a posterior surface comprising a concave socket positioned on an opposite side of the at least one semi-spherical bump, wherein the concave socket is dimensioned and configured to accept the at least one ball bearing.

The assembly may further comprise a neck roll operatively connected to the base, wherein the neck roll comprises a tube member having a substantially curved front, top, and bottom end and a substantially flat back end, wherein the back end comprises at least one attachment mechanism, wherein the attachment mechanism engages the at least one slot of the base. Moreover, the assembly may further comprise a blanket system comprising a fastening mechanism that attaches the blanket system to any of the platform, the base, and the head cradle; a first blanket operatively connected to the fastening mechanism; and a second blanket operatively connected to the first blanket. The second blanket may comprise a pair of holes aligned with one another; and an attachment mechanism to attach opposite ends of the second blanket to one another.

Another embodiment provides a head-restraint system comprising a base portion; a platform positioned underneath the base portion, wherein the platform supports the base portion; a head cradle positioned within an open region of the base portion; means for pivoting the head cradle with respect to the base portion; and means for pivoting the base portion with respect to the platform. The means for pivoting the head cradle with respect to the base portion may comprise a groove comprising a generally curved track dimensioned and configured on the base portion; a protruding belt portion dimensioned and configured on the head cradle to slide within the groove of the base portion; and at least one ball bearing positioned between the belt portion of the head cradle and the base portion, wherein the at least one ball bearing slides in the curved track of the base portion.

The means for pivoting the base portion with respect to the platform may comprise a pair of guides and a receptacle dimensioned and configured on an upper surface of the platform; a pair of legs dimensioned and configured on a lower surface of the base portion, wherein the legs comprise concave ends that are dimensioned and configured to accept a ball bearing, wherein the legs rest in the pair of guides of the platform; and a boss feature dimensioned and configured on the lower surface of the base portion, wherein the boss feature rotationally engages the receptacle of the platform.

Additionally, the means for pivoting the head cradle with respect to the base portion may comprise a pivot mechanism rotationally connecting the base portion to the head cradle; and a friction reducing mechanism positioned between the base portion and the head cradle. Furthermore, the means for pivoting the base portion with respect to the platform may comprise a pivot mechanism rotationally connecting the base portion to the platform; and at least one ball bearing positioned between the base portion and the platform. The system may further comprise a cushioning mechanism positioned on the base portion. Also, the system may further comprise an audio signal mechanism that generates audio signals and outputs the audio signals, wherein the audio signal mechanism is positioned adjacent to any of the platform, the base portion, and the head cradle. The audio signal mechanism may comprise a programmable sound card; a speaker; and a power supply unit. Moreover, the system may further comprise a dual component blanket system connected to any of the platform, the base portion, and the head cradle, wherein the dual component blanket system comprises an outer blanket portion and an inner blanket portion.

Another embodiment provides an apparatus comprising a stationary platform; a base rotationally connected to the platform; a head cradle rotationally connected to the base; a first pivot mechanism rotationally connecting the base to the head cradle; and a second pivot mechanism rotationally connecting the base to the platform.

These and other aspects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an infant headrest assembly according to an embodiment herein;

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate exploded diagrams of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of the platform of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of the base of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom view of the base of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front view of the base of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 9 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 12 illustrates an anterior view of the cradle of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 13 illustrates a posterior view of the cradle of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 14 illustrates schematic diagram of the neck roll of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 15 illustrates a top view of a blanket system according to an embodiment herein;

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an infant headrest assembly according to an embodiment herein; and

FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view cut along line A-A′ of the infant headrest assembly of FIG. 16 according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.

The embodiments herein provide a polyaxial infant head cradle that rotates in two dimensions thereby allowing a baby to turn its head in a “no” motion as well as side-to-side motion (i.e., head-to-shoulders). Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 17, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.

FIGS. 1 through 7 illustrate schematic diagrams of an infant headrest assembly 1 according to a first embodiment herein. The assembly 1 comprises a platform 10 that holds a base 20, which connects to a neck roll 40. A generally U-shaped cradle 30 sits in the base 20. A plurality of ball bearings 50 are also included in the assembly 1 and are positioned between the platform 10 and base 20, as well as between the base 20 and the cradle 30.

FIG. 8 illustrates a schematic diagram of the platform 10 of the infant headrest assembly 1 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The platform 10 comprises an upper surface 11, a front wall 12, and a back wall 13 positioned opposite to the front wall 12. The front wall 12 is generally configured approximately one-half in length compared to the back wall 13. A pair of curved side walls 14, 15 are positioned between the front wall 12 and back wall 13. Disposed in the upper surface 11 is a generally circular receptacle 16. A pair of generally curved guides 17, 18 are further disposed in the upper surface 11. The receptacle 16 and guides 17, 18 generally provide supporting means for the base 20 as it rests on the platform 10 as well as providing rotational means for the base 20 to rotate with respect to the platform 10. The platform 10 may be dimensioned and configured to attach or hold/clasp a securing a blanket 70 (of FIG. 15) that may be further attached into the U-shaped cradle 30.

FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate the base 20 of the infant headrest assembly 1 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The base 20 comprises a recessed central surface 21. Positioned on lateral sides of the central surface 21 are two raised side surfaces 22 a, 22 b that are generally flat. The side surfaces 22 a, 22 b each have a hole 26 disposed therein. Extending from one lateral side 22 a through the central surface 21 onto the other lateral side 22 b is a groove 65 comprising a generally curved track 23 positioned therein. A pair of slots 25 are positioned in the front of the base 20. The undersurface 27 of the base 20 comprises a pair of generally cylindrical legs 28 having concave ends 60 that are dimensioned and configured to accept a ball bearing 50 (as indicated in FIG. 3), which then rest in the guides 17, 18 of the platform 10. Furthermore, the undersurface 27 of the base 20 comprises a generally cylindrical boss 29 dimensioned and configured to fit in the receptacle 16 of the platform 10. The curved configuration of the guides 17, 18 allow the ball bearings 50 to slide therein, and the receptacle 16 is configured to allow the boss 29 to rotate therein, thus permitting the base 20 to rotate with respect to the platform 10. Accordingly, this rotation of the base 20 allows an infant positioned in the head cradle 30 to comfortably move its head 90 (shown in FIG. 16) towards each of its shoulders. The boss 29 preferably comprises a neck portion 61 and an enlarged lip 62 that snaps into the receptacle 16 to prevent separation of the base 20 from the platform 10 once assembled.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the cradle 30 of the infant headrest assembly 1 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The cradle 30 comprises a generally U-shaped anterior surface 31 comprising a generally centrally positioned belt portion 34 having semi-spherical bumps 33 outwardly extending from the surface 32 of the belt portion 34. The edge 35 of the cradle 30 is preferably configured having a thicknesses no greater than half the thickness of the semi-spherical bumps 33. The opposite side of each semi-spherical bump 33 is a correspondingly configured concave socket 36 that is dimensioned and configured to accept a ball bearing 50 (as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3). The belt portion 24 is dimensioned and configured to slide within the groove 65 of the base 20 with the ball bearings 50 positioned in the concave sockets 36 configured to slide in the track 23 configured in the groove 65 of the base 20 (as indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3). This rotational movement allows the head cradle 30 to rotate with respect to the base 20, which permits an infant positioned in the head cradle 30 to comfortably move its head from side-to-side (i.e., in a “no” motion). A blanket, foam insert, or other cushioning mechanism 80 (shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) may be removably attached to the U-shaped anterior surface 31 of the cradle 30 to facilitate enhanced comfort for the infant's head 90 (as shown in FIG. 16) that is resting in the cradle 30. The cradle 30 comprises a radius of curvature sufficiently large so that the infant's head 90 is not held snug within the cradle 30 in order to prevent unintended suffocation or neck pain or injury. Once the baby's head 90 begins to become snug against the cradle 30, then the parent/guardian is put on notice that the baby has outgrown the assembly 1 and should no longer be used for that particular baby.

FIG. 14 illustrates schematic diagram of the neck roll 40 of the infant headrest assembly 1 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment herein. The neck roll 40 is generally cylindrical in shape having a curved surface 41 with a front end 42 and an oppositely positioned back end 43. The back end 43 is preferably flat and comprises at least one attachment mechanism 44, which may be configured as clips, for example, or other appropriate attachment mechanism. The attachment mechanisms 44 engage the slots 25 located at the front of the base 20 to allow the neck roll 40 to attach to the base 20.

The offset single center of rotation of the base 20 provides for proper anatomically correct head movement/tilting, and the ball bearing track 23 and groove 65 allow the cradle 30 to rotate freely yet remain attached to the base 20. The assembly 1 may further include means (e.g., a snap, etc.) (not shown) for securing various thickness memory foam 80 (shown in FIGS. 16 and 17) for cushioning and comfort and to allow for different-sized baby heads 90 and to accommodate growth of the baby's head 90. The various components of the assembly 1 may comprise plastic, foam, memory-shaping alloy, or any other type of material that is easily manufactured, economical, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly.

FIG. 15, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 14, illustrates a top view of a blanket system 70 according to an embodiment herein. The blanket system 70 includes at least one fastener 74 that attaches to the assembly 1. For example, the blanket system 70 may attach to the platform 10, base 20, cradle 30, or neck roll 40, or some combination thereof. The blanket system 70 further comprises an outer blanket 71, and inner blanket 72, which may be joined together through the fastener(s) 74. Additionally, the inner blanket 72 comprises a pair of arm holes 73 a, 73 b to allow the infant's arms (not shown) to be inserted therethrough. Furthermore, the inner blanket 72 comprises an attachment mechanism 75, 76 (such as a Velcro® fasteners, for example) to allow the infant to be swaddled by the inner blanket 72. The outer blanket 71 may further be used to swaddle the infant or to simply act as a means for the infant to lie upon or the edges may be tucked under the sides of a crib, cradle, or bassinet mattress. The outer blanket 71 and inner blanket 72 may comprise soft cloth material, wool, plastic, etc. for example.

FIG. 16 illustrates a cross-sectional side view of an infant headrest assembly 100 according to a second embodiment herein, and FIG. 17 illustrates a cross-sectional view cut along line A-A′ of the infant headrest assembly 100 of FIG. 16. In this embodiment, a first pivot mechanism 82 is connected to the base 20 and head cradle 30 to facilitate the rotation of the head cradle 30 with respect to the base 20. This rotational movement allows an infant positioned in the head cradle 30 to comfortably move its head 90 from side-to-side (i.e., in a “no” motion). A friction reducing mechanism 85 (for example, a wheel) positioned between the base 20 and the cradle 30 further allows the head cradle 30 to smoothly rotate with respect to the base 20. Furthermore, a second pivot mechanism 84 is connected to the platform 10 and base 20 to facilitate the rotation of the base 20 with respect to the platform 10. Accordingly, this rotation of the base 20 allows an infant positioned in the head cradle 30 to comfortably move its head 90 towards each of its shoulders.

In this alternative embodiment, the number of ball bearings 50 in the assembly 100 is reduced compared with assembly 1 because the rotation of the head cradle 30 with respect to the base 20 is facilitated by the first pivot mechanism 82 and the friction reducing mechanism 85. Additionally, absent from this embodiment is a separately attached neck roll; rather the foam insert 80 may be configured to have a neck roll portion 83 configured thereon to reduce the number of separately connected components in the assembly 100. Additionally, an audio signal mechanism 86 that generates audio signals and outputs the audio signals is positioned in the assembly 1 such that it may be adjacent to either the base 20, the platform 10, or the head cradle 30. The audio signal mechanism 86 comprises a programmable sound card or chip 88, a speaker 89, and a power supply unit 87. The power supply unit 87 may include batteries or may be powered using a cord/adapter system or may use other power supply means such as ambient radio frequency power harvesting. The programmable sound card or chip 88 may be configured to play “soothing sounds” for the infant or may be configured to allow recording thereon using a built-in microphone (not shown) that plays back a recording (such as a parent's voice). Furthermore, the programmable sound card or chip 88 may be configured as a two-way communication device to allow for radio transmission of audio signals back and forth to/from a remotely-located transceiver (not shown) to facilitate remote baby monitoring. The audio signal mechanism 86 may be included in either assembly 1 or assembly 100.

The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. An assembly comprising: a platform; a base positioned on said platform, wherein said base comprises a groove comprising a generally curved track; a rotatable arcuately-shaped head cradle positioned within an open region of said base, wherein said head cradle comprises a protruding belt portion dimensioned and configured to slide within said groove of said base; and at least one ball bearing positioned between said belt portion of said head cradle and said base, wherein said at least one ball bearing slides in said curved track of said base.
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said platform comprises: an upper surface comprising a pair of guides and a receptacle; a front wall; a back wall positioned opposite to said front wall; and a pair of side walls positioned between said front wall and said back wall.
 3. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said front wall is dimensioned and configured to be approximately one-half in length compared to said back wall.
 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said base further comprises: a top region comprising: a recessed saddle-shaped central surface; and a pair of raised side surfaces positioned on lateral sides of said central surface, wherein each side surface comprises a hole disposed therein; and a front region comprising at least one slot configured in a front wall of said base, wherein said front wall of said base is positioned transverse to said central surface and said pair of raised side surfaces, wherein said groove and said track extend from a first side surface through said central surface and to said second side surface of said top region.
 5. The assembly of claim 2, wherein said base further comprises a bottom region comprising: a pair of generally cylindrical legs having concave ends that are dimensioned and configured to accept a ball bearing, wherein said legs rest in said pair of guides of said platform; and a boss feature dimensioned and configured to rotationally connect to said receptacle of said platform.
 6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein said boss feature comprises: a neck portion; and an enlarged lip that snaps into said receptacle of said platform.
 7. The assembly of claim 1, wherein said head cradle comprises: an anterior surface comprising an inner area of said belt portion that is generally centrally positioned on said U-shaped anterior surface, wherein said inner area of said belt portion comprises at least one semi-spherical bump outwardly extending from said belt portion; and a posterior surface comprising a concave socket positioned on an opposite side of said at least one semi-spherical bump, wherein said concave socket is dimensioned and configured to accept said at least one ball bearing.
 8. The assembly of claim 4, further comprising a neck roll operatively connected to said base, wherein said neck roll comprises a tube member having a substantially curved front, top, and bottom end and a substantially flat back end, wherein said back end comprises at least one attachment mechanism, wherein said attachment mechanism engages said at least one slot of said base.
 9. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a blanket system comprising: a fastening mechanism that attaches said blanket system to any of said platform, said base, and said head cradle; a first blanket operatively connected to said fastening mechanism; and a second blanket operatively connected to said first blanket.
 10. The assembly of claim 9, wherein said second blanket comprises: a pair of holes aligned with one another; and an attachment mechanism to attach opposite ends of said second blanket to one another.
 11. A head-restraint system comprising: a base portion; a platform positioned underneath said base portion, wherein said platform supports said base portion; a head cradle positioned within an open region of said base portion; means for pivoting said head cradle with respect to said base portion; and means for pivoting said base portion with respect to said platform.
 12. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for pivoting said head cradle with respect to said base portion comprises: a groove comprising a generally curved track dimensioned and configured on said base portion; a protruding belt portion dimensioned and configured on said head cradle to slide within said groove of said base portion; and at least one ball bearing positioned between said belt portion of said head cradle and said base portion, wherein said at least one ball bearing slides in said curved track of said base portion.
 13. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for pivoting said base portion with respect to said platform comprises: a pair of guides and a receptacle dimensioned and configured on an upper surface of said platform; a pair of legs dimensioned and configured on a lower surface of said base portion, wherein said legs comprise concave ends that are dimensioned and configured to accept a ball bearing, wherein said legs rest in said pair of guides of said platform; and a boss feature dimensioned and configured on said lower surface of said base portion, wherein said boss feature rotationally engages said receptacle of said platform.
 14. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for pivoting said head cradle with respect to said base portion comprises: a pivot mechanism rotationally connecting said base portion to said head cradle; and a friction reducing mechanism positioned between said base portion and said head cradle.
 15. The system of claim 11, wherein said means for pivoting said base portion with respect to said platform comprises: a pivot mechanism rotationally connecting said base portion to said platform; and at least one ball bearing positioned between said base portion and said platform.
 16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a cushioning mechanism positioned on said base portion.
 17. The system of claim 11, further comprising an audio signal mechanism that generates audio signals and outputs said audio signals, wherein said audio signal mechanism is positioned adjacent to any of said platform, said base portion, and said head cradle.
 18. The system of claim 17, wherein said audio signal mechanism comprises: a programmable sound card; a speaker; and a power supply unit.
 19. The system of claim 11, further comprising a dual component blanket system connected to any of said platform, said base portion, and said head cradle, wherein said dual component blanket system comprises an outer blanket portion and an inner blanket portion.
 20. An apparatus comprising: a stationary platform; a base rotationally connected to said platform; a head cradle rotationally connected to said base; a first pivot mechanism rotationally connecting said base to said head cradle; and a second pivot mechanism rotationally connecting said base to said platform. 